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Full procedure Film in Irad with a foreign crew

A documentary, programme or advertisement shot in the ISEZ by a crew from abroad with its own equipment.

Foreign crews are accredited by the Department of Public Information before they film, whatever the length of the film, on the basis of the shooting script and its Iradi translation. Each location needs a filming permit from City Hall (outside the cities, the district administration) and, in the protected zone of the Old City, the Heritage Department. Equipment enters under a temporary admission booklet of the Chamber of Commerce, secured by a bank guarantee, and leaves by the same crossing. Filming is not permitted near Talas Air Base, Boz-Korgon, checkpoints on the line, the Toktogul complex or other installations, with any permit. Talasfilm Studios provides production services to foreign crews and may apply for location permits on their behalf.

Have the shooting script translated

Iradi translation of the full script by a sworn translator at the State Notary Office No. 1.

  1. 1. Order the translation of the script from a sworn translator
    Where: State Notary Office No. 1
    The whole script is translated, including the questions to be asked in interviews. For a documentary without a script, the crew submits a written plan of each day's shooting with the questions; answers that differ from the plan are not a breach of the accreditation.
    Bring: Letter of assignment from the broadcaster or production company
    Cost: translation, per page, IS 9 per page
    Time: 40–150 min in the queue, 10–20 min at the counter, 5–12 days until the next step
  2. 2. Have the translation notarised in two copies
    Where: State Notary Office No. 1
    You receive: Shooting script with a notarised Iradi translation (2 copies)
    Cost: IS 40
    Time: 40–150 min in the queue, 15–20 min at the counter, 0–1 days until the next step

Obtain Department of Public Information accreditation for the crew

Accreditation of the Department of Public Information; applications on Wednesdays, at least 30 days before shooting.

  1. 3. Submit the application at room 34
    Where: Department of Public Information: accreditation of foreign press and film crews
    Submitted by the producer or the local partner. Each crew member is named; a crew member added later is accredited separately with the same script. The script is reviewed in its original language and in the Iradi translation, page by page.
    Bring: Shooting script with a notarised Iradi translation (2 copies), Letter of assignment from the broadcaster or production company, Two photographs, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, ID card or passport of the applicant
    Cost: IS 200
    Cost: review of the script, per page, IS 15 per page
    Time: 30–120 min in the queue, 20–40 min at the counter, 14–28 days until the next step
  2. 4. Pay the accreditation fee at Talasbank
    Where: Talasbank (any branch)
    Cost: accreditation card, per crew member, IS 120 per crew member
    Time: 20–60 min in the queue, 5–10 min at the counter, 0–1 days until the next step
  3. 5. Collect the accreditation cards
    Where: Department of Public Information: accreditation of foreign press and film crews
    The cards are valid for 90 days and for the places named in the script. A place not named in the script needs an addendum, reviewed at the next Wednesday's session. No card is valid at the installations listed in the annex to the regulation.
    You receive: Accreditation cards of the foreign crew
    Time: 20–60 min in the queue, 5–10 min at the counter, 0–1 days until the next step

Sign with Talasfilm Studios as local partner

Production services of the state film studio: production manager, interpreter, transport and location permits.

  1. 6. Agree the production services contract ★ optional
    Where: Talasfilm Studios: production services for foreign crews
    Talasfilm provides a production manager, an interpreter and transport, and applies for location permits through its standing appointment at City Hall on Wednesdays. The contract is priced by the shooting day, and days lost to weather are charged.
    Bring: Accreditation cards of the foreign crew, Letter of assignment from the broadcaster or production company
    You receive: Production services contract with Talasfilm Studios
    Cost: production services, per shooting day, IS 1,800 per shooting day
    Time: 0–30 min in the queue, 60–120 min at the counter, 2–7 days until the next step
  2. 7. Hire lighting or the sound stage ★ optional
    Where: Talasfilm Studios: production services for foreign crews
    The sound stage is let by the day, with the studio's electrician; foreign electricians may not connect to the studio's supply.
    Bring: Production services contract with Talasfilm Studios
    Cost: sound stage and electrician, one day, IS 900
    Time: 0–30 min in the queue, 15–30 min at the counter, 0–3 days until the next step

Bring the equipment in under a temporary admission booklet

Booklet TA-1 of the Chamber of Commerce, secured by a Talasbank guarantee and stamped by customs at the crossing.

  1. 8. Have the list of equipment certified by the Chamber
    Where: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Irad
    Three copies, in English or Russian and in Iradi, each item with its serial number, weight and value. Cables, batteries and cases are listed by number; tape is listed by the roll.
    You receive: List of equipment with serial numbers (3 copies)
    Cost: IS 60
    Time: 20–60 min in the queue, 20–40 min at the counter, 1–3 days until the next step
  2. 9. Obtain a bank guarantee at Talasbank head office
    Where: Talasbank (any branch) (Talasbank head office, Central Square, Talas, foreign currency department)
    The guarantee covers the duties on the whole value of the equipment and is valid for 30 days after the booklet expires. Talasbank holds a cash cover of 10% of the value on the company's account until the guarantee is released.
    Bring: List of equipment with serial numbers (3 copies), Letter of assignment from the broadcaster or production company
    You receive: Bank guarantee for the duties on the equipment (Talasbank)
    Cost: guarantee commission, 2% of the value, $0.02 per US$
    Time: 20–60 min in the queue, 30–60 min at the counter, 3–7 days until the next step
  3. 10. Collect the temporary admission booklet (TA-1)
    Where: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Irad
    The booklet is issued by the Chamber and accepted only in the ISEZ. Carnets issued in other countries are not accepted, and the booklet is not accepted in any other country.
    Bring: List of equipment with serial numbers (3 copies), Bank guarantee for the duties on the equipment (Talasbank), Accreditation cards of the foreign crew
    You receive: Temporary admission booklet (TA-1) of the Chamber of Commerce
    Cost: IS 350
    Time: 20–60 min in the queue, 10–15 min at the counter, 2–5 days until the next step
  4. 11. Present the equipment for entry at the crossing
    Where: Customs posts at the frontier crossings (x 2)
    Every item is checked against the list. A drone is entered in the booklet but kept in the customs post's store until its registration card is shown.
    Bring: Temporary admission booklet (TA-1) of the Chamber of Commerce, List of equipment with serial numbers (3 copies), Accreditation cards of the foreign crew
    You receive: Customs entry counterfoil of the booklet
    Cost: IS 50
    Time: 30–180 min in the queue, 30–90 min at the counter, 0–1 days until the next step

Register the crew with the Passport and Residence Service

Registration within three days of arrival, in person.

  1. 12. Register each crew member at the passport office
    Where: Passport and Residence Service
    Crew members staying at a guesthouse are registered by the host instead (see Open a guesthouse), but the accreditation card is shown in both cases.
    Bring: Accreditation cards of the foreign crew, ID card or passport of the applicant, Two photographs, 3.5 × 4.5 cm
    You receive: Registration of foreign visitors
    Cost: IS 40 per crew member
    Time: 60–300 min in the queue, 10–15 min at the counter, 0–1 days until the next step

Register the drone and coordinate its flights

Registration by the Civil Aviation Section and a flight notice for each day to the Host Nation Liaison Office of Talas Air Base.

  1. 13. Have the drone inspected at the customs post's store
    Where: Civil Aviation Section (Store of the customs post at the crossing of entry)
    Hours: Thursday, by appointment
    The Section's inspector checks the serial number, the weight and the camera, on Thursdays, at the store of the crossing where the drone entered.
    Bring: Temporary admission booklet (TA-1) of the Chamber of Commerce, Accreditation cards of the foreign crew
    Cost: IS 150
    Time: 0–60 min in the queue, 20–40 min at the counter, 1–7 days until the next step
  2. 14. Collect the registration card and the drone
    Where: Civil Aviation Section
    The card is collected in Talas and shown at the store, where the drone is then handed over.
    You receive: Registration card of the unmanned aircraft
    Time: 20–60 min in the queue, 5–10 min at the counter, 1–2 days until the next step
  3. 15. Obtain a Talas Air Base visitor pass for the pilot
    Where: Airspace Coordination Office, Talas Air Base
    Issued at the visitor centre on presentation of the accreditation card and the passport. The pass admits the pilot to the visitor centre only.
    Bring: Accreditation cards of the foreign crew, ID card or passport of the applicant
    You receive: Talas Air Base visitor pass
    Time: 30–120 min in the queue, 10–20 min at the counter, 3–10 days until the next step
  4. 16. Submit a flight notice for each flight day, ten working days ahead
    Where: Airspace Coordination Office, Talas Air Base
    Flights are not coordinated within 12 km of the Qara-Chik line, over Boz-Korgon, over the Toktogul complex and its security zone, or in the approach zone of the base, which covers most of Talas. The approval names the hours of flight; a day lost to wind is not carried over.
    Bring: Registration card of the unmanned aircraft, Talas Air Base visitor pass, Accreditation cards of the foreign crew
    You receive: Airspace coordination approval (one per flight day)
    Cost: coordination fee of the Civil Aviation Section, per flight day, IS 80 per flight day
    Time: 20–90 min in the queue, 10–20 min at the counter, 10–14 days until the next step

Obtain filming permits for each location

Permit of the City Hall permits counter for each location; the Heritage Department for the Old City.

  1. 17. Obtain the written consent of the owner of each location
    Where: City Hall: permits counter
    For streets, squares and parks the owner is City Hall, which gives its consent at the same counter in a separate queue.
    You receive: Written consent of the owner of each location
    Time: 30–120 min in the queue, 10–20 min at the counter, 1–5 days until the next step
  2. 18. Obtain the Heritage Department's approval for the Old City ★ optional
    Where: Heritage Department
    For any location in the protected zone of the Old City of Talas. Lights may not be fixed to walls, and the crew may not go on the roofs.
    Bring: Accreditation cards of the foreign crew, Written consent of the owner of each location
    You receive: Heritage Department approval (protected zones)
    Cost: IS 120
    Time: 30–90 min in the queue, 15–25 min at the counter, 7–14 days until the next step
  3. 19. Pay the location fees at Talasbank
    Where: Talasbank (any branch)
    Cost: location fee, per location (up to two days), IS 250 per location
    Time: 20–60 min in the queue, 5–10 min at the counter, 0–1 days until the next step
  4. 20. Submit the application at the permits counter
    Where: City Hall: permits counter
    Each location has its own permit, with dates and hours. Closing a street to traffic is considered by the transport committee on Wednesdays and needs the city police's signature on the permit.
    Bring: Accreditation cards of the foreign crew, Written consent of the owner of each location, ID card or passport of the applicant
    You receive: Filming permit (one per location)
    Time: 30–150 min in the queue, 15–30 min at the counter, 5–10 days until the next step
  5. 21. Have a traffic officer posted at the location ★ optional
    Where: City police: licensing and registration section
    Required where the permit closes a street. The officer is booked at window 6 at least three working days ahead.
    Bring: Filming permit (one per location)
    Cost: traffic officer, per location, IS 90 per location
    Time: 20–60 min in the queue, 5–10 min at the counter, 3–5 days until the next step

Take the equipment out and release the guarantee

Re-export at the crossing of entry, return of the booklet to the Chamber and release of the guarantee by Talasbank.

  1. 22. Present the equipment for re-export at the crossing of entry
    Where: Customs posts at the frontier crossings (x 2)
    The equipment leaves by the crossing at which it entered. Items missing at exit are charged duty from the guarantee. Tape that has been shot is exported as exposed tape and listed separately.
    Bring: Temporary admission booklet (TA-1) of the Chamber of Commerce, Customs entry counterfoil of the booklet, List of equipment with serial numbers (3 copies)
    You receive: Re-export counterfoil of the booklet
    Cost: IS 50
    Time: 30–180 min in the queue, 30–90 min at the counter, 0–1 days until the next step
  2. 23. Return the booklet to the Chamber of Commerce
    Where: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Irad
    The booklet may be returned by post, registered, through Irad Pochtasy; booklets returned from abroad are not accepted.
    Bring: Temporary admission booklet (TA-1) of the Chamber of Commerce, Re-export counterfoil of the booklet
    You receive: Letter releasing the bank guarantee
    Time: 20–60 min in the queue, 10–15 min at the counter, 5–15 days until the next step
  3. 24. Present the release letter at Talasbank
    Where: Talasbank (any branch)
    The cash cover is returned to the account it came from, in dollars, within ten working days.
    Bring: Letter releasing the bank guarantee
    Time: 20–60 min in the queue, 10–15 min at the counter, 10–14 days until the next step

Laws and documents

  • Department of Public Information Regulation No. 19 Regulation on filming and photography by foreign crews, 2011 (article 6; articles 3, 4, 9, annex; article 11; annex; articles 12, 14)
  • № 08-14 Customs Code of the Irad Special Economic Zone 2008 (articles 110, 112, 115; articles 116, 118)
  • Regulation 2010/3 Residence Regulation 2010 (articles 8, 9)
  • Regulation 2017/6 Unmanned Aircraft Regulation 2017 (articles 5, 7, 12)
  • № 97-05 Heritage Ordinance 1997 (article 9)

Institutions

  • State Notary Office No. 1, Talas, Liberty Boulevard 9, basement; sworn translators' list on the door. Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00, lunch 12:30–13:30
  • Department of Public Information: accreditation of foreign press and film crews, Talas, Communications Square 5, third floor, room 34. Wednesday, 10:00–12:00
  • Talasbank (any branch), Any of the 28 branches; foreign currency operations at the head office, Central Square, Talas. Monday to Friday, 9:00–16:00; Saturday 9:00–12:00
  • Talasfilm Studios: production services for foreign crews, Talas, Talasfilm Studios, administration building, production services office, room 12. Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00, lunch 12:30–13:30
  • Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Irad, Talas, Central Avenue 18, third floor. Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00, lunch 12:30–13:30
  • Customs posts at the frontier crossings (x 2), Chu Gate (Kazakh frontier); Dostuk and Kyzyl-Tuu (Uzbek frontier, shared inspection hours under the 2025 memorandum). Daylight hours, every day
  • Passport and Residence Service, City passport offices (Talas, Nurzhan, Iyık Janyl) and the district offices. Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00, lunch 12:30–13:30
  • Civil Aviation Section, Talas, Liberty Boulevard 14, fourth floor, room 412. Monday to Thursday, 9:00–12:30
  • Airspace Coordination Office, Talas Air Base, Talas Air Base, main gate, visitor centre; entry with a base visitor pass only. Monday to Friday, 8:00–16:00
  • City Hall: permits counter, Talas City Hall, room 104; Nurzhan: House of Soviets, permits office; Iyık Janyl: City Hall, Lower Town. Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00, lunch 12:30–13:30
  • Heritage Department, Talas, National Historical Museum, administrative entrance. Monday to Thursday, 9:00–12:30
  • City police: licensing and registration section, Talas City Police headquarters, Liberty Boulevard 30, window 6. Monday to Thursday, 9:00–12:30

Updated 2026-10-23. Developed with the support of the UNMI trade facilitation programme.